Campbell ‘weds’ Fiona after 42-year romance
PeRHAPS it was the warm weather, or maybe elation at the easing of lockdown, but Alastair Campbell has finally exchanged vows with Fiona Millar — after almost half a century.
Tony Blair’s former right-hand man tied the knot with the mother of his three adult children at a ceremony in Camden, North London.
‘After 42 years together we decided to try to make a go of it,’ says Campbell, 63.
The couple did not, however, get married, but entered into a civil partnership, having explained that they are opposed to the religious and patriarchal associations of weddings.
Civil partnerships were introduced by Blair’s government for same-sex couples in 2004. Journalist Millar, 63, played a key role in the equal Civil Partnerships campaign group, which fought in english law courts and through Parliament for the right for civil partnerships to be extended to heterosexual couples. This finally happened in england and Wales at the end of 2019.
‘Well done Fiona and the equal Civil Partnerships campaign for making this possible,’ adds the former No 10 communications chief.
The ceremony, for which Campbell wore Scottish dress — including a kilt — and Millar a Spring green frock, was attended by their 26-year-old writer daughter, Grace.
‘On a gloriously sunny day mid-pandemic, my gorgeous parents finally got bound by law,’ she says. ‘Not by marriage, that’s too patriarchal for them, but in a civil partnership. Congrats Mum and Dad, i’ll be happy if i manage a relationship even half as long and cute as yours.’ Pre- empting complaints from loved ones about being excluded, Campbell wrote to them, explaining: ‘Apologies to all friends we didn’t tell, but only four guests allowed. Off to the small bash in the garden and then honeymoon in front of the telly.’ Campbell has often spoken out against the institution. ‘To me, marriage is partly a religious thing and i’m not religious,’ he said. ‘With Fiona, it’s more about the feminist thing.’